David I Davidson: Murder 1st Degree of His Wife

David I Davidson was born March 1858 in Missouri.



Inmate: #17539 San Quentin Prison
Rec: 13 Dec 1897
Crime: Murder 1st Degree
Paroled: 15 July 1908

 

He owned a restaurant in Randsburg, CA, he and his were divorced when he shot her.

Here's some newspaper articles I found.

1896 Los Angeles Newspaper

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57735059/david-i-davidson/


1897 Santa Cruz Newspaper

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16977995/david-i-davidson-murders-wife/




I found the the following from a book called Mugshots & Crime Files From The Gangster Era Vol 2 written by Richard MacPherson


















The story told here one would think he should of gotten manslaughter or murder in the 2nd degree. You read the newspaper account and the 1st degree murder charge fits.

He was pardoned in 1919



In 1917 he was in a little trouble


1908 he sold one of his restaurants, something he did often, he would start one get it running then sell it for more than purchase price, kinda like to days Flip or Flop.


He would finally settle down in Los Angeles and own a restaurant for many years until his untimely death in 1935.


He died 6 Apr 1935

I found no information on his wife except her Memorial on Find A Grave

She was the first women buried in this cemetery

Rand District Cemetery in Johannesburg, CA




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